A Rough Day
Have you ever felt like things just couldnt get worse, and then they did. I know you have, we all have been there and some of us spend alot of time there!
One of my favorite guys in the Bible is David. I think that of any persons life, his is one we have the fullest glimpse of. We see him from a boy until his death. We see a life marked by victory, tragedy, sin, forgiveness, defeat, loneliness, and consequences. David was a warior, but a poet and musician as well. He was both tough and tender.
The story that is on my mind today is the story of Shimei (2Samuel 16). David, was on the run for his life. His son had tried to sieze the throne and David’s life was on the line. David had to quickly flee Jurusalem and as he proceeded away, he came to a town (Bahurim) where King Saul’s, the king before David, clan lived. This man Shimei, came out his front door as David passed by and just began cursing him and started throwing rocks. Talk about a rough day.
It was bad enough his own son turned against him, but now his was being curesed and rocks thrown. If that I had been me I would have had enought and probably dealt with that dude severely. In fact that is how one of David’s men, Abishai felt, he said “Why is that dog cursing my king, let me go cut off his head”. Thats how I feel when people curse me, insult me. But I love David’s response: “Hold on, perhaps he is cursing me because God told him to! ” When is the last time you thought that?
To take taunting of any kind requires great character. How much more to be willing to consider it actually might be God speaking? David replied maybe God will see my distress and repay me some good for the cursing I am recieving. Whats even more amazing is that it did not stop, the story says that David and his men continued on the road and Shimei kept on cursing, throwing stones and even dirt. I think the story ends with the way we feel, it says they arrived at their destination exhausted.
Life does get exhausting. The story ends with saying David refreshed himself.
Thought for the day – when things are rough, could God be at work in your life? Remember to persevere, God does have his eye on you.
1 Corinthians 10:13 (New International Version)
No temptation has seized you except what is common to man. And God is faithful; he will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. But when you are tempted, he will also provide a way out so that you can stand up under it.
